UK girl's name
Raifah
A feminine Arabic name meaning "prosperous" or "thriving with wealth".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Raifah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Raifah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4838, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 4 births.
This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2012 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Raifah is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Raifah. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Raifah ranked #4838 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 4 girls were registered as Raifah.
- • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raifah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4838
2012
Births in 2012
4
Latest year
Peak year
2012
4 births
Estimated living
4
2026
Meaning
What does Raifah mean?
The name Raifah is an Arabic feminine name that traces its roots back to the ancient Middle Eastern region. The name is derived from the Arabic word "rafa'a," which means "to elevate" or "to raise." It is believed to have originated during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD.
In the Arabic language, the name Raifah holds a significant meaning, symbolizing strength, resilience, and a lofty spirit. It was often bestowed upon girls with the hope that they would grow up to be strong-willed and rise above challenges, embodying the essence of the name's meaning.
While the name Raifah is not explicitly mentioned in religious scriptures or ancient texts, it has been part of the Arabic cultural tradition for centuries. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the medieval Islamic world, where it was borne by several notable figures.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name Raifah was Raifah bint Ismail al-Ansari (c. 680 AD - 760 AD), a renowned scholar and poet from the city of Medina. She was celebrated for her extensive knowledge of Arabic literature and her contributions to the preservation of Islamic traditions.
Another historical figure who bore the name Raifah was Raifah bint Abdul Malik (c. 720 AD - 790 AD), a princess from the Umayyad dynasty. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support of intellectual pursuits during her time.
In the 12th century, Raifah al-Baghdadiyya (c. 1130 AD - 1190 AD) was a prominent female scholar and poet from Baghdad. She was renowned for her expertise in various fields, including Arabic literature, Islamic jurisprudence, and astronomy.
During the Ottoman era, Raifah Hatun (c. 1550 AD - 1620 AD) was a notable figure in the Ottoman court. She was a skilled calligrapher and is credited with contributing to the development of the Ottoman calligraphic style known as the "Diwani" script.
In more recent history, Raifah Al-Sayed (1930 - 2010) was a renowned Egyptian actress and singer. She was celebrated for her contributions to the golden age of Egyptian cinema and her captivating performances on stage and in films.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Raifah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raifah was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4838 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Raifah
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Raifah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Raifah in the UK right now?
In 2012, Raifah was ranked #4838 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Raifah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 4 babies registered as Raifah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Raifah?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "prosperous" or "thriving with wealth".
How many people are called Raifah in the UK?
A total of 4 babies have been registered as Raifah across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.